Unilever has launched its first UK regenerative agriculture project with British farmers, expanding on its global initiatives. The project is part of Unilever’s commitment to invest in regenerative agriculture practices on 1.5 million hectares of land and forests by 2030. The investments are supported by Unilever’s Climate & Nature Fund, which aims to invest €1 billion by 2030 in climate, nature, and resource efficiency projects.
The UK project will focus on mustard and mint farms around Norwich and Peterborough, with a four-year trial period. Unilever has partnered with farming cooperatives and academic institutions to implement regenerative agriculture practices such as low carbon fertilizers, crop nutrition strategies, and digital water irrigation scheduling systems.
Measurement of success is a key aspect of the project, with Unilever collecting baseline data and establishing frameworks to assess the impact of regenerative practices on soil health, biodiversity, and carbon reductions. The project aims to improve yield, soil health, and maintain product quality while adapting to climate challenges.
Unilever is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform and has adopted principles of regenerative agriculture that focus on positive impacts on soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and resource efficiency. The company remains committed to driving sustainable sourcing and implementing regenerative agriculture principles to generate positive impacts on soil health and climate resilience.
Implementing regenerative agriculture initiatives poses challenges for Unilever, including changes to farm practices and management at a systems level, market dynamics, and support for farmers to understand and implement regenerative practices. The company recognizes the need for market demand, support for farmers, and new income streams to drive the adoption of regenerative practices.
